2009 CHEVROLET TAHOE wheel

Rear Towing (Rear Wheels Off the
Ground)
Two-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to dolly tow a
two-wheel-drive vehicle from the rear:
1. Attach the dolly to the tow vehicle following the
dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Drive the rear wheels onto the dolly.
3. Firmly set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-45.4. Put the transmission in P (Park).
5. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the
manufacturer’s instructions.
6. Use an adequate clamping device designed for
towing to ensure that the front wheels are locked
into the straight position.
7. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
Four-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
Use the following procedure to dolly tow a
four-wheel-drive vehicle from the rear:
1. Attach the dolly to the tow vehicle following the
dolly manufacturer’s instructions.
2. Drive the rear wheels onto the dolly.
3. Firmly set the parking brake. SeeParking Brake on
page 2-45.
4. Put the transmission in P (Park).
5. Secure the vehicle to the dolly following the
manufacturer’s instructions.
6. Use an adequate clamping device designed for
towing to ensure that the front wheels are locked
into the straight position.
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{CAUTION:
Shifting a four-wheel-drive vehicle’s transfer case
into N (Neutral) can cause the vehicle to roll even
if the transmission is in P (Park). The driver or
others could be injured. Make sure the parking
brake is rmly set before the transfer case is
shifted to N (Neutral).
7. Shift the transfer case to N (Neutral). See “Shifting
into N (Neutral)” underFour-Wheel Drive on
page 2-40
8. Turn the ignition to LOCK/OFF.
After towing, see “Shifting Out of N (Neutral)” under
Four-Wheel Drive on page 2-40.
Level Control
Automatic Level Control
The automatic level control rear suspension is available
on light-duty vehicles and comes as a part of the
Autoride
®suspension, if equipped.
This type of level control is fully automatic and will
provide a better leveled riding position as well as better
handling under a variety of passenger and loading
conditions. An air compressor connected to the rear
shocks will raise or lower the rear of the vehicle
to maintain proper vehicle height. The system is
activated when the ignition key is turned to ON/RUN
and will automatically adjust vehicle height thereafter.
The system may exhaust (lower vehicle height) for up to
ten minutes after the ignition key has been turned off.
You may hear the air compressor operating when
the height is being adjusted.
If a weight-distributing hitch is being used, it is
recommended to allow the shocks to inate, thereby
leveling the vehicle prior to adjusting the hitch.
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Autoride®
With this feature, improved vehicle ride and handling is
provided under a variety of passenger and loading
conditions.
The system is fully automatic and uses a computer
controller to continuously monitor vehicle speed, wheel
to body position, lift/dive and steering position of the
vehicle. The controller then sends signals to each shock
absorber to independently adjust the damping level to
provide the optimum vehicle ride.
Autoride also interacts with the tow/haul mode that,
when activated, will provide additional control of
the shock absorbers. This additional control results in
better ride and handling characteristics when the vehicle
is loaded or towing a trailer. See “Tow/Haul Mode”
underTowing a Trailer on page 4-50for more
information.
Towing a Trailer
Do not tow a trailer during break-in. SeeNew Vehicle
Break-In on page 2-26for more information.
{CAUTION:
The driver can lose control when pulling a trailer if
the correct equipment is not used or the vehicle is
not driven properly. For example, if the trailer is
too heavy, the brakes may not work well — or
even at all. The driver and passengers could be
seriously injured. The vehicle may also be
damaged; the resulting repairs would not be
covered by the vehicle warranty. Pull a trailer only
if all the steps in this section have been followed.
Ask your dealer/retailer for advice and information
about towing a trailer with the vehicle.
Notice:Pulling a trailer improperly can damage the
vehicle and result in costly repairs not covered
by the vehicle warranty. To pull a trailer correctly,
follow the advice in this section and see your
dealer/retailer for important information about
towing a trailer with the vehicle.
To identify the trailering capacity of the vehicle, read the
information in “Weight of the Trailer” that appears
later in this section.
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Maximum trailer weight is calculated assuming only the
driver is in the tow vehicle and it has all the required
trailering equipment. The weight of additional optional
equipment, passengers and cargo in the tow vehicle
must be subtracted from the maximum trailer weight.Use the following chart to determine how much the
vehicle can weigh, based upon the vehicle model and
options.
Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
1500 Series 2WD Short Wheel Base
4.8L V8 3.23 4,500 lbs (2 041 kg) 10,000 lbs (4 536 kg)
4.8L V8 3.73 4,800 lbs (2 177 kg) 10,300 lbs (4 672 kg)
5.3L V8 3.08 5,400 lbs (2 449 kg) 11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
5.3L V8 3.42 5,900 lbs (2 676 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.42 8,400 lbs (3 810 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
6.2L V8 3.42 8,500 lbs (3 856 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
1500 Series 2WD Long Wheel Base
5.3L V8 3.08 5,100 lbs (2 313 kg) 11,000 lbs (4 990 kg)
5.3L V8 3.42 5,600 lbs (2 540 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.42 8,100 lbs (3 674 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
6.0L V8 3.42 8,100 lbs (3 674 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
1500 Series 4WD Short Wheel Base
5.3L V8 3.42 5,700 lbs (2 586 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.42 8,200 lbs (3 720 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
6.2L V8 3.42 8,100 lbs (3 674 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
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Vehicle Axle Ratio Maximum Trailer Weight GCWR*
1500 Series 4WD Long Wheel Base
5.3L V8 3.42 5,400 lbs (2 449 kg) 11,500 lbs (5 216 kg)
5.3L V8 K5L HD Cooling Pkg 3.42 7,900 lbs (3 583 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
6.0L V8 3.42 7,900 lbs (3 583 kg) 14,000 lbs (6 350 kg)
2500 Series 2WD Long Wheel Base
6.0L V8 3.73 9,600 lbs (4 355 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
2500 Series 4WD Long Wheel Base
6.0L V8 3.73 9,300 lbs (4 218 kg) 16,000 lbs (7 257 kg)
*The Gross Combination Weight Rating (GCWR) is the total allowable weight of the completely loaded vehicle and
trailer including any passengers, cargo, equipment and conversions. The GCWR for the vehicle should not be
exceeded.
Ask your dealer/retailer for our trailering information or
advice, or write us at our Customer Assistance
Offices. SeeCustomer Assistance Offices on page 7-6
for more information.
Weight of the Trailer Tongue
The tongue load (A) of any trailer is an important weight
to measure because it affects the total gross weight
of the vehicle. The Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
includes the curb weight of the vehicle, any cargo
carried in it, and the people who will be riding in thevehicle. If there are a lot of options, equipment,
passengers or cargo in the vehicle, it will reduce the
tongue weight the vehicle can carry, which will also
reduce the trailer weight the vehicle can tow. If towing a
trailer, the tongue load must be added to the GVW
because the vehicle will be carrying that weight, too. See
for more information about the vehicle’s maximum
load capacity.
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Trailer Brakes
A loaded trailer that weighs more than 2,000 lbs
(900 kg) needs to have its own brake system that is
adequate for the weight of the trailer. Be sure to read
and follow the instructions for the trailer brakes so
they are installed, adjusted and maintained properly.
Since the vehicle is equipped with StabiliTrak
®,
the trailer brakes cannot tap into the vehicle’s hydraulic
system.
Integrated Trailer Brake Control
System
The vehicle may have an
Integrated Trailer Brake
Control (ITBC) system for
electric trailer brakes.
This symbol is located on the Trailer Brake Control
Panel on vehicles with an Integrated Trailer Brake
Control System. The power output to the trailer brakes
is based on the amount of brake pressure being
applied by the vehicle’s brake system. This available
power output to the trailer brakes can be adjusted to a
wide range of trailering situations.The ITBC system is integrated with the vehicle’s brake,
anti-lock brake and StabiliTrak (if equipped) systems.
In trailering conditions that cause the vehicle’s anti-lock
brake or StabiliTrak systems to activate, power sent
to the trailer’s brakes will be automatically adjusted to
minimize trailer wheel lock-up. This does not imply
that the trailer has the StabiliTrak system.
If the vehicle’s brake, anti-lock brake or StabiliTrak
systems are not functioning properly, the ITBC system
may not be fully functional or may not function at
all. Make sure all of these systems are fully operational
to ensure full functionality of the ITBC system.
The ITBC system is powered through the vehicle’s
electrical system. Turning the ignition off will also turn
off the ITBC system. The ITBC system is fully functional
only when the ignition is in ON or in RUN.
The ITBC system can only be used with trailers with
electric brakes.
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6. Adjust the Trailer Gain to just below the point of
trailer wheel lock-up, indicated by trailer wheel
squeal or tire smoke when a trailer wheel locks.
Trailer wheel lock-up may not occur if towing
a heavily loaded trailer. In this case, adjust the
Trailer Gain to the highest allowable setting for the
towing condition.
7. Re-adjust Trailer Gain any time vehicle loading,
trailer loading or road surface conditions change
or if trailer wheel lock-up is noticed at any time while
towing
Other ITBC Related DIC Messages
In addition to displaying TRAILER GAIN and TRAILER
OUTPUT through the DIC, trailer connection and
ITBC system status is displayed in the DIC.
TRAILER CONNECTED – This message will be briey
displayed when a trailer with electric brakes is rst
connected to the vehicle. This message will
automatically turn off in about ten seconds. The driver
can also acknowledge this message before it
automatically turns off.CHECK TRAILER WIRING – This message will be
displayed if:
1. The ITBC system rst determines connection to a
trailer with electric brakes and then the trailer
harness becomes disconnected from the vehicle.
If the disconnect occurs while the vehicle is
stationary, this message will automatically turn off in
about thirty seconds. This message will also turn
off if the driver acknowledges this message off or if
the trailer harness is re-connected.
If the disconnect occurs while the vehicle is moving,
this message will continue until the ignition is
turned off. This message will also turn off if the
driver acknowledges this message off or if the trailer
harness is re-connected.
2. There is an electrical fault in the wiring to the
electric trailer brakes. This message will continue as
long as there is an electrical fault in the trailer
wiring. This message will also turn off if the driver
acknowledges this message off.
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Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as
you would when driving the vehicle without a trailer. This
can help to avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
Passing
More passing distance is needed when towing a trailer.
Because the rig is longer, it is necessary to go much
farther beyond the passed vehicle before returning to
the lane.
Backing Up
Hold the bottom of the steering wheel with one hand.
Then, to move the trailer to the left, move that hand
to the left. To move the trailer to the right, move your
hand to the right. Always back up slowly and, if possible,
have someone guide you.
Making Turns
Notice:Making very sharp turns while trailering
could cause the trailer to come in contact with the
vehicle. The vehicle could be damaged. Avoid
making very sharp turns while trailering.
When turning with a trailer, make wider turns than
normal. Do this so the trailer will not strike soft
shoulders, curbs, road signs, trees or other objects.
Avoid jerky or sudden maneuvers. Signal well in
advance.
Turn Signals When Towing a Trailer
The arrows on the instrument panel ash whenever
signaling a turn or lane change. Properly hooked up, the
trailer lamps also ash, telling other drivers the vehicle
is turning, changing lanes or stopping.
When towing a trailer, the arrows on the instrument
panel ash for turns even if the bulbs on the trailer are
burned out. For this reason you may think other
drivers are seeing the signal when they are not. It is
important to check occasionally to be sure the
trailer bulbs are still working.
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